Evaluation of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness in the diagnosis of pre-perimetric glaucoma and comparison to retinal nerve fiber layers

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluation of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness in the diagnosis of pre-perimetric glaucoma (PPG) and comparison to retinal nerve fiber layers. Methods: This study was a prospective hospital-based study. A total of 30 PPG and control patients were studied for retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer complex (GC-IPL) by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. PPG was defined as eyes with a normal visual field and one or more localized RNFL defects that were associated with a typical glaucomatous disc appearance. Diagnostic abilities of GC-IPL, optic nerve head (ONH), and RNFL parameters were computed using area under receiver-operating curve (AUROC), sensitivity, and specificity. Results: GC-IPL parameters showed significant changes in PPG cases as compared to normal subjects in each region (P value < 0.001). RNFL parameters also differed significantly from normal subjects in all quadrants (P value 0.003 to < 0.001). Within GC-IPL parameters, the superotemporal region had the maximum area under the curve (AUC), followed by inferior, superior, and inferotemporal regions. Within RNFL parameters, the inferior quadrant had the maximum AUC, followed by superior and nasal quadrants. the GC-IPL parameters in PPG showed that the AUC of the GC-IPL parameters was much higher than those of the ONH and RNFL values. Conclusion: Although both the parameters RNFL and GC-IPL showed significant changes in PPG patients compared to healthy subjects, a higher AUC of GC-IPL points toward the higher sensitivity of GC-IPL than RNFL for detecting glaucoma in early stages.

Keywords

• ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer
• pre-perimetric glaucoma
• retinal nerve fiber layer